Pheretima (Cyrenaean queen)

Pheretima (Greek: Φερετίμη) was the queen of Cyrene in North Africa during the 6th century BC. She ruled after the death of her husband, Battus III, on behalf of her son, Battus IV, who was infirm.

Pheretima's reign was marked by internal political turmoil and a desire for revenge. After Cyrene became subject to Persian rule under Cambyses II, and after a dispute with a rival faction or possibly a disagreement over tribute payments, the exiled Barcaeans sought her assistance in regaining their city, which had been captured by the Persians.

Pheretima approached Aryandes, the Persian satrap of Egypt, requesting military assistance. She is said to have offered him Cyrene as a bribe, but Aryandes, already interested in expanding Persian influence in North Africa, agreed to help without demanding Cyrene as payment. A large Persian army, commanded by Amasis, then marched west and besieged Barca, which eventually fell.

The Persian army, with Pheretima in tow, proceeded to punish those who had wronged her. The accounts vary, but Herodotus details a brutal campaign that saw the devastation of the surrounding region. The details of Pheretima’s involvement in the atrocities are disputed, but it is clear that she sought retribution against her enemies.

After the Persian campaign, Pheretima traveled to Egypt, where she died a particularly gruesome death attributed to disease and infestations. Her death is described by Herodotus as divine retribution for her cruelty.

Pheretima's story is a complex one, reflecting the volatile political landscape of Cyrene and the wider Mediterranean world in the 6th century BC. She is remembered as a powerful, albeit controversial, figure who played a significant role in the history of Cyrene and its relationship with the Persian Empire. Her reign highlights the complexities of power, revenge, and the precarious nature of leadership in the ancient world.